This recipe delivers a rich, flavorful ragu that's perfect for a cozy night in. The slow cooker does most of the work, allowing the beef to become incredibly tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Ingredients:
For the Ragu:
2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup dry red wine (like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup beef broth
For Serving:
1 pound noodles (pappardelle, tagliatelle, or rigatoni are excellent choices)
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for serving)
Instructions:
Sear the Beef: Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef on all sides until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Deglaze and Add Ingredients: Pour in the red wine and scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), and beef broth.
Slow Cook: Transfer the seared beef and the sauce mixture to a slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
Shred the Beef: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the sauce and stir to combine. Remove the bay leaves. If the sauce seems too thin, you can cook it on high without a lid for 20-30 min to thicken it.
Cook the Noodles: About 20 minutes before serving, cook the noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the noodles, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water.
Combine and Serve: Add the cooked noodles to the ragu and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Garnish and Serve: Serve the beef ragu over the noodles, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Tips and Variations:
For a deeper flavor, you can add a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce or a splash of balsamic vinegar to the ragu during the last hour of cooking.
You can substitute other cuts of beef, such as short ribs or brisket, for the chuck roast.
For a richer ragu, you can add a small amount of heavy cream or butter at the end of cooking.
Feel free to add other vegetables, such as mushrooms or bell peppers, to the ragu.
If you'd like it to thicken quicker after shredding the meat, after shredding return the meat to the sauce, and mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4th cup of water, then mix that into the ragu. cook on high, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
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